• Video otoscopy

  Video otoscopy allows the examination of the ear canal and ear drum. The image (which can be printed) is displayed on a screen for you to see and can be of assistance in identifying physical abnormalities related to your hearing loss.

• Tympanometry

  Tympanometry is used to evaluate the movement of the eardrum and status of the middle ear. It is useful in determining if the middle ear has abnormal air pressure, detecting the presence of fluid that may be related to a variety of conditions including certain ear infections or even allergies (glue ear), a perforation or dislocation of the ossicular bones in the middle ear.
  
  Tympanometry is not a hearing test and the results of this test should always be viewed in conjunction with pure tone audiometry.

• Pure-tone Audiometry

  A comprehensive audiometric evaluation consists of several tests. First, we determine the softest sound that can be heard using ear phones. This is called air conduction testing The next test performed is bone conduction testing A bone vibrator is placed behind the ear to determine the softest sound that can be heard when stimulating the inner ear directly (bypassing the outer ear and middle ear).
  
  Information obtained from these two tests helps to determine the type of hearing loss. This may include a conductive loss (hearing loss due to problems in the outer and/or middle ear), a sensorineural loss (hearing loss due to problems in the inner ear—cochlea and auditory nerve), or a mixed loss (a combination of both conductive and sensorineural). The information from these two tests also allows the audiologist to determine the severity of the hearing loss.

Tympanometry

This test is used to assess middle ear function. It is useful in identifying the presence of fluid in the middle ear or Eustachian tube dysfunction. It is also useful in assessing the patency of grommets.

Otoacoustic Emissions

Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing is used to assess the integrity of the outer hair cells in the cochlea (inner ear). A probe tip is placed in the ear and a series of sounds are presented. No behavioral response or co-operation from the child is required. Responses produced by the cochlea are recorded and the test only takes 20-30 seconds. This is a quick, easy and objective test used to assess cochlear function and to rule out the possibility of a hearing loss.

Pure-tone Air Audiometry

Pure-tone Audiometry is used to determine the softest sounds a child can hear. This can be determined using earphones or insert ear phones. Depending on the age of the child various methods are used to obtain responses from the child. There methods include the following:

Visual Response Audiometry (< 2yrs)

This method allows the audiologist to assess the child’s hearing by reinforcing the child’s response with a visual reward. The test can be done in free field (no earphones) by presenting the sounds through speakers. The test can also be done using earphones or insert earphones if the child will tolerate them.
Thresholds are obtained in this manner and an audiogram can be plotted, giving an indication of the child’s hearing status.

Play Audiometry (> 2yrs)

During play audiometry the child responds to sounds presented via earphones or insert earphones with the use of toys/games. In this way the child’s hearing thresholds are determined and can be plotted on an audiogram.

Otoacoustic Emissions

Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing is used to assess the integrity of the outer hair cells in the cochlea (inner ear). A probe tip is placed in the ear and a series of sounds are presented. No behavioral response or co-operation from the child is required. Responses produced by the cochlea are recorded and the test only takes 20-30 seconds. This is a quick, easy and objective test used to assess cochlear function and to rule out the possibility of a hearing loss.

Auditory Brainstem Response

ABR is a screening test for hearing loss or deafness, especially notable for its use with newborn infants. It is a method to assess the function of the ears and cranial nerves, as well as various brain functions of the lower part of the auditory system, prior to the child developing to the point of describing a possible hearing problem.
ABR audiometry is a safe and painless test of auditory pathway and brainstem function in response to auditory stimuli.
ABR is performed when the child is asleep or in a resting state. Electrodes are applied to the child’s head and insert earphones are used to provide the auditory stimulus. Neurological responses are recorded in response to auditory stimuli.
The test takes approximately 1 hour.

Your balance system is primarily located in the inner ear – which connects with the brain, brainstem, eyes and sensory nerves located throughout your body. Audiologists have the ability to assess where your imbalance is occurring throughout your body by means of highly sophisticated tests.
This procedure is called VNG/ENG (Visualnystagmography) which tracks eye movements through video recordings. VNG consists of a number of tests, including administering warm and cold air to the ear canals. During VNG goggles will be placed over the eyes. Some of the tests are done in a sitting position and others in a lying down position.
The test is painless and lasts up to 1 hour.

Digital Hearing aids

A digital hearing aid receives sound and digitizes it (breaks sound waves up into very small, discrete units) prior to amplification. A traditional analogue hearing aid simply makes the sound wave larger to amplify sounds.
The most sophisticated digital hearing aids are able to discern between soft, yet desirable sounds, and louder, yet unwanted noise. Such devices can amplify the former, while neutralizing the latter for better speech understanding in a variety of environments. A digital hearing aid can be programmed to adjust automatically to different environments. Digital technology also makes it possible for Audiologists to create customized programs that address specific hearing difficulties.
Beacon Audiology provides a wide range of Digital hearing aids to suit the individuals hearing loss and preferences in terms of size, colour, design and cost.
Ongoing management of the hearing aids and follow-up service is provided.
PSRI Grants available.

Cortical Evoked Response Audiometry is an objective test used to estimate the auditory (hearing) threshold.
Electrical potentials, evoked by a sound stimulus are recorded by placing electrodes on the head. The presence of the response and the response characteristics allow for the estimation of hearing ability / the performance of their auditory pathways.
No response from the patient is required. The test is completely objective.

Central auditory processing (CAP) evaluations assess processing of auditory information. What a child hears and what the brain interprets might not be the same. Some children might have more difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background noise. Before a CAP evaluation, a complete hearing test is recommended in order to assess hearing ability. During the CAP evaluation, a variety of different listening tests are administered.

A full range of noise attenuators and custom made swim plugs are available.

A service for ear wax removal is provided.